Friday afternoon news, Aug. 3

University of Northern Iowa President Announces Resignation

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) - Ben Allen is stepping down as president of the University of Northern Iowa, where budget cuts have outraged some faculty, students and parents. Allen says Friday he will retire by July 1, 2013, after six years at the helm of the Cedar Falls university. The Iowa Board of Regents supported Allen's decisions to close UNI's teaching lab, eliminate academic programs and offer faculty buyouts. Allen says the changes allow UNI to focus on its strongest programs, which he says will attract more students and faculty. Supporters of the Malcolm Price Laboratory School filed a lawsuit to keep the award-winning school open, arguing the regents didn't have to power under state law to close it. A judge in June rejected the lawsuit, saying the regents didn't exceed their power.

Protesters Ask For Rastetter's Ouster At Regents Meeting

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) - Some protesters seeking the ouster of Iowa Board of Regents member Bruce Rastetter have been removed from the board's meeting in Cedar Falls. The protesters were removed Friday after interrupting the meeting and alleging Rastetter committed ethics violations. Board President Craig Lang warned about 40 members of Iowa Citizens forCommunity Improvement to not disrupt the meeting. Rastetter, a prominent businessman, worked with Iowa State University to pursue a large-scale land development in Africa. Environmentalists and watchdog groups say he tried to use his influence as a regent to benefit an investment group he founded and manages that is developing farmland in Tanzania. ISU withdrew from the project in February after mounting criticism. Iowa CCI filed an ethics complaint against Rastetter, which a state ethics board will review Aug. 23.

Northwestern College Exceeds Fundraising Goal

(Orange City) -- Northwestern College in Orange City exceeded its million-dollar goal for the Northwestern Fund by raising $1 million, 73 thousand dollars during the fiscal year of 2011 - 2012. More than 76 percent was given by members of the college's Tower Society, made up of donors who give $1,000 or more annually to the college. The Northwestern Fund is a component of the college's Imagine Campaign; gifts to all the campaign components-as well as other college causes such as students' short-term mission trips exceeded $4.9 million in 2011-2012. Northwestern College President, Greg Christy says, "Northwestern alumni and friends have a real heart for our students and the increasing challenges young people face as they pay for college." The Northwestern Fund helps reduce tutition by around $900 per student.

Mapleton Man Expected To Plead Guilty To Conspiracy

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) - Court documents say a 33-year-old western Iowa man accused of twice arranging to have someone shoot him has made a deal with prosecutors. Darren Hieber, of Mapleton, will plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy and two counts of solicitation for the shootings. The other charges will be dropped. He is scheduled to plead guilty on Aug. 20. Hieber is accused of persuading Brady Chapman to shoot him in a leg on Feb. 5. Hieber also is accused of hiring Joseph Roberts and Timothy Culley, both of Omaha, to shoot at him on March 8 inMapleton. Authorities say Hieber was trying to gain sympathy from his ex-wife. Roberts, Culley and Chapman have been given probation.

Rendering Truck Spills Load At Sioux City

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - Workers have cleaned up after a rendering truck spilled some animal entrails and parts on a Sioux City street. The spill occurred about 9:45 a.m. Thursday on the east side of Sioux City. The Iowa Transportation Department says the truck driver apparently had to stop suddenly, which forced some of his load to slosh out. Traffic was diverted for about 30 minutes as workers cleaned up the mess.